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Transplant recipients say thanks to the health professionals who make organ donation and transplant possible

03/12/2018

Vancouver – This week, 17-year-old Abby Farnsworth of Kamloops will visit her local hospital to show appreciation for the gift of life she received when she was just four years old.

Abby will join teams of transplant recipients, living organ donors and organ donor families in giving thanks to the health professionals who support the organ donation and transplant journey.

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It is a part of Operation Popcorn, BC Transplant's annual event where teams of volunteers who have been affected by organ donation and transplant kick off the holiday season by delivering festive popcorn treats to hospitals across the province.

Abby, who was born with a congenital heart disease that led to a heart transplant in 2006, has had the opportunity to live her life as a normal teen due to her transplant.

"My family is so grateful for the gift of life I received," says Abby. "The transplant community is a close knit one, and Operation Popcorn is our opportunity to thank our local team of hospital professionals for all their dedicated work in making organ donation and transplant possible."

"As we mark an important milestone for organ transplants in B.C., it's important to remember the health professionals, families and individuals behind each transplant, both given and received," said Health Minister Adrian Dix. "Through Operation Popcorn, people like Abby are able to give thanks for the life-saving services they received and in this small gesture, recognize the incredible gift of transplants."

2018 is a special year for organ donation and transplant in British Columbia, as it marks 50 years since the first ever transplant in the province.

"We could only reach this milestone with the commitment and dedication of health professionals across the province who offer hope to donor families and save lives through transplant," said Leanne Appleton, BC Transplant's provincial executive director. "These boxes of popcorn are a small token and represent our sincere thanks."

Operation Popcorn, which takes place between December 3 – 7 this year, will see more than 100 BC Transplant volunteers deliver 94 boxes of popcorn to health care teams in 27 hospitals in British Columbia and one in the Yukon.

This is the 27th year of Operation Popcorn.

BC Transplant provides provincial oversight for all aspects of organ donation and transplantation in BC, and is a program within the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). B.C.'s three transplant centres are BC Children's Hospital, St Paul's Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital. Transplant patients receive follow-up care at the transplant centres or at one of eight regional clinics close to their home community. More information: www.transplant.bc.ca or follow us on Twitter @BC_Transplant.

Provincial Health Services Authority is transforming health care through innovation and is committed to providing the best patient care possible through research and development of leading edge treatments, programs and services. For more information, please visit www.phsa.caor follow us on Twitter @PHSAofBC.